How to Potty Train Twins
Throw out everything you know about kids when you have twins. Potty training twins is no exception. This normal process is messier and more rigorous with two children than with one. According to Parents, potty training comes at a time when children start having a mind of their own, which can make training twins challenging. Twins may battle who will sit on the potty first rather than shying away from it. As your twins display signs of potty training readiness, such as trying to use the adult toilet, then prepare yourself with the right gear.
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Instructions
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Train your twins at the same time. Twins can become competitive with potty training and if one child sees the other on the potty, it may motivate the other twin. Once one child is showing signs of readiness, you can begin training.
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Choose two potties with your twins. Fighting over the potty will happen no matter what you do, but set out on the right path with two potties. Let each child choose his or her favorite. The kind of potty with a removable seat that can be placed on an adult toilet works best. Some children prefer it over the child-sized kind.
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Provide markers and stickers so each child can decorate his or her own potty. Twins want their own stuff. Help each twin write his or her name on their potty, but be prepared for swapping.
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Read potty books to your twins such as "A Potty for Me!" and "Potty." Children's books depicting kids using their potty encourages kids. It shows them that it is normal and fun.
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Ask your twins if they need to use the potty. After they wake up or before and after a bath are ideal times to start asking. Take each twin to the potties. If one twin cannot focus with the other twin playing around, take the twin that's playing out of the bathroom. Separation may be needed.
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Praise your twins when they are successful. Applause works well with twins who thrive on energy. Do a potty dance or song when they use their potty. Make up a song using the names of your twins with a melody of a familiar song.
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Buy washable training pants. They let your twins feel the wetness that they do not necessarily feel in diapers. Training pants can help speed up the potty training process and your twins can take them off by themselves when they need to go.
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Buy underwear once they are ready for it. Soiling underwear discourages some children, and cleaning up after twins is also challenging in itself. Let your twins choose underwear they like. Let them wear it as a reward for using the potty. Use training pants and underwear back and forth until they are fully trained.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a notebook to record when each child is using the potty as a reference.
Read up on parenting books about potty training to be prepared.
Join a twin parents support group. Other parents will have advice and sympathy.
Invest in cleaning wipes. Potty training twins is messy business.
References
Resources
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